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UN criticizes first royal defamation case under Thai new monarch

A senior UN official has criticized the first royal defamation case brought under Thailand's new monarch. King Vajiralongkorn, who succeeded his father in 2016, appears keen to continue the controversial convention.

David Kaye, the UN's special rapporteur, on Tuesday attacked the case against Jatupat Boonpatararaksa - a pro-democracy student activist - who was arrested in December for sharing a profile of King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Facebook.

"Public figures, including those exercising the highest political authority, may be subject to criticism, and the fact that some forms of expression are considered to be insulting to a public figure is not sufficient to justify restrictions or penalties," Kaye said in a statement.

Kaye said such laws "have no place in a democratic country" and called for Thailand to repeal them.

The chances of that happening are low as the country is run by royalist generals who have formed the most authoritarian government for many years, with political gatherings banned and opponents jailed or facing trial.